Imphal: Over 500 families at Singjamei Wangma Mongkhanglambi and its adjacent area in Manipur’s Imphal East district are reeling under flash floods for the past few days after heavy rainfall lashed several parts of the state.
According to locals, this is not the first time that floodwaters have entered into their houses. In 2017 and 2018, residents faced a similar situation due to a lack of a proper drainage system in the area.
“We have been appealing to the authority concerned to look into the matter since 2017. However, till now, it has remained unattended,” said one of the locals on condition of anonymity.
Although the heavy downpour stopped in the Imphal valley on Friday, the locals continued to face severe inconveniences as floodwaters have inundated the entire area.
According to locals, some families have already moved to flood relief camps as most of the houses were inundated due to the flood. However, more families will be forced to take refuge in the relief camps if the water level continues to rise.
The flood relief camps are being managed by Mongkhanglambi Modern Club in collaboration with Pradhan (Torban Khstrilekai Gram Panchayat) through a donation from the residents and other well-wishers.
According to Deepak, general secretary of the local club, after heavy rains, all the water flows down from various places like Porompat, Konung Mamang, Wangkhei and Tangapat and remains stagnant as it’s a low-lying locality.
Moreover, the water can be released from the lone sluice gate through Nandeibam Uku (canal) into the Imphal River. But as the level of the water in the river remains high, it is unsafe to release the water in the river, he said.
“Since the water is not clean, we feel very unhygienic and uncomfortable. I am worried about my children’s health. Whenever it rains heavily, our house which is located in a little low-lying area gets flooded easily,” said Naorem Tinu, a resident of the area. At present, Tinu and her family are staying at relief camps along with other residents.
“We have our daughter’s wedding today but since the water has entered our living rooms, we are shifting the wedding venue to the community hall,” said Romila Devi as she wades through the knee-deep water dressed in Meitei traditional attire.
“This water logging is not because of water overflowing from the river but due to lack of a proper drainage system. Our locality is among the worst hit and the locals, especially children and women, are facing a lot of difficulties,” she added.
“I run a shop in this locality, however, it has been shut for the last three days due to waterlogging,” added CK Singh, another resident of the area.
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